What’s Amir Johnson’s Raptors future look like?

Nov 21, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton (22) is blocked by Toronto Raptors forward Amir Johnson (15) at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Bucks 124-83. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

This is not an easy post to write. Since Amir Johnson joined the Toronto Raptors via trade in 2009, he has been a huge asset, not just to the team but to the city. For the Raps, he has done everything asked of him, to the limits of his ability. For the fans, he is the closest thing we’ve ever had to a teddy bear. Amir hosts fan events on his nickel, attends gatherings, hands out Drake CDs – he’s something of a renaissance man. But a hard-nosed look at his performance this season, and a glance into the future, do not bode well. Amir needs to move to the bench, starting now.

Amir has chronically bad ankles, which limit both the number of games he can play, and his effectiveness when he does. The likelihood of a return to full health is nil, and he’s one bad landing away from a long spell on the Disabled List. With Jonas Valanciunas struggling to find consistency on both ends of the floor, Amir can step in at centre without damage to our cause. He’s still an excellent, savvy defender.

One of my guiding principles is “Don’t trade someone unless you’ve got a replacement”. In this case, we’re not talking trade (let me repeat: WE’RE NOT TALKING TRADE – Masai Ujiri values chemistry, and moving out the beloved Amir would be a move vehemently opposed by coaches, players and fans). Instead, let’s push someone else to a glamour role in the starting five. There are only two candidates to consider: Patrick Patterson and James Johnson [20-second timeout: to all you Tyler Hansbrough fans…no – just no.] Our new colleague, Jordan Tomiyama, makes a strong case for JJ, but does so with the idea of moving TRoss to the bench. That’s not for me; I’d rather let TRoss continue to develop. Instead, give 2-Pat the first crack in the frontcourt. He’s got the 3-point shot, is a respectable rebounder, and an excellent defender. He stays in front of his man with remarkable quickness. Sure, he might get abused down low by some of the quality 4s, but it’s a chance worth taking. James Johnson is like Lou Williams, in the sense that they are both mavericks, capable of surprising plays at any time. Guys like that need to come off the bench, not folded into a five-man weave. I will happily admit that JJ is doing just fine, thanks, as an emergency starter since Landry Fields’ injury, but that doesn’t change my position.

The time to make this switch is now. Whatever price needs to be paid in losses we can live with at this stage of the season. Get Patterson fully integrated into our schemes, so our starting unit is at full efficiency when playoffs arrive.

Amir by nature is a “whatever you want coach” kind of person, so he’ll accept this move with good grace. He might even welcome becoming the de facto leader of the second unit. Amir may be only 27, but this is his tenth NBA season. That represents a lot of wear and tear on the body of an undersized power forward.

To complete this Grinch-that-stole-Christmas post: Amir’s expiring contract should be either re-negotiated at a much lower rate, or he should be allowed to walk away at season’s end. Within a few years, we can look forward to him moving into an assistant coach’s role with our team.